SPOTLIGHT: Meet Tega Baah

Meet Tega!

There is an army of amazing women rising up in our generation, and it’s only fair we know who they are, which is why I am so excited to share our first ever interview on the blog! This will be the start of an amazing series, where we’ll shine a spotlight on incredible creative women. Our only stipulation? They need to love reading! 

We begin with Ghana-based Tega Baah. This ‘Ghagerian’ superwoman is a filmmaker and a fellow lover of books. Her story is so inspiring, and we just couldn’t resist the opportunity to peel back the layers of fabulosity which make up this powerhouse of a woman.  We caught up with Tega and asked her to share what she had to say about reading, film production, keeping the faith and natural hair!

      Who is Tega?

      I am a media personnel which means I do everything from filmmaking to show production,  but right now I am more into videography and production. I’m a Ghagerian (Ghanaian-Nigerian), a Christian and strongly believe in walking with the Lord and being unapologetic about that.  I also like to live my life as transparently as possible so that the generation behind me can see that you don’t have to be perfect or have everything figured out to make progress in life.

      What do like to do in your free time?

Read and sleep.  I used to like travelling a lot as well but I don’t have that luxury anymore at this stage in my life, so I just make do with reading and sleeping!

You’re a big advocate of natural hair, and even share many tips and tutorials for ‘naturalistas’ on your Instagram page. When and why did this passion start?

My passion actually started from my ‘days of trial’. I lost my father tragically in 2016 and during that period I decided that instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for myself, I should use the time to invest in something. I had always been talking about natural hair and inner beauty so I just decided to go public with it.

You recently relocated to Ghana. Please, can you tell us more about that?

After I was done with school (I have a background in Psychology)  I spent time praying to God about what to do with my life.  I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment world from day one and felt God telling me to go back to Ghana (I lived in Nigeria), so I decided to try it out for a while to see how I felt. It was at the time my dad unfortunately passed and when he died my mother also decided she wanted to go back home to Ghana. That finalised my decision. So we moved back to Ghana and I set up my production and branding company.

Peep all of that natural hurrr!

What are your favourite books and why?

The first is Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. That book was a game changer for me.

The second will be The Power of Being a Woman by Michelle McKinney Hammond because all my life I had struggled with my feminity and I didn’t want anyone to assume I was weak simply because I was a woman. But this book opened my eyes to see clearly that instead of stifling my womanhood I should bask and live in it,  which is what I totally enjoy doing now! 

Which book is next on your list?

Sassy, Single and Satisfied by Michelle McKinney Hammond and Diva Principles also by Michelle McKinney Hammond. As you can see she has become my all-time favourite author!

Ca you tell us about your filmmaking projects? How did you get into it?

I had always been super creative from birth. Whenever I wasn’t allowed to explore that I would act up. Like I mentioned I always knew I would end up living my life as a creative. I started off by doing makeup and styling for films and then I graduated to producing, then I worked my way up the ladder to writing and directing. (I am still working my way up!) I have produced my first short film and have worked on several projects both in Nigeria and Ghana. I am currently producing and D.Ping for Michelle McKinney Hammond and her ministry. I guess in the long run God just wanted me to go through the process so I can come back and pour into his kingdom! I am in a very happy workspace now and my first docu-series will soon be airing on TBN. I am also currently working on producing my next two feature films.

What has been your most successful project so far?

I would have to say my independent solo project called Forgiven which is available to watch on Facebook.  I will say that is my baby. Because that showed what I was capable of doing even with little! 

What is the most challenging thing about production?

Having to deal with the credibility of people in the industry and the passiveness of people in this part of the world. Also, I do not like our complacency with mediocracy. To some level, we are satisfied with not being excellent.

What or who are your biggest motivations or role models?

My mother Mrs Jemelia Baah. I have seen the woman go through hell and back and still have the ability to laugh and love. There’s also Pastor Kikelomo Adesina who is my adopted mother and has held my hand through the worst days of my life. Equally, I love Michelle McKinney Hammond who God strategically placed in my life and has helped me brush, polish and harness my talent, and ambassador Unyime-Ivy King. She is an excellent woman and my mentor in almost everything!

Tega doing her thang behind the camera!

What advice do you give to young women like yourself wanting to go into film?

Take your time and nurture your gift. It’s good to listen to other people’s opinion but trust your gift and your creative brain.  Be humble and willing to learn. Be welcoming and ready to show love to others. Also, prepare prepare prepare! Because when the door of opportunity knocks you will be ready to enter because. Keep at it long enough, and it will surely come. 

What does the future hold for you?

Travel, work and pouring myself into my purpose. And maybe marriage who knows? 

Keep up with Tega on Instagram: @tegaebaah and  @tegskinkytu 

If you have a creative service or product you’d like highlighted and would like to be interviewed for our new SPOTLIGHT series please contact us at contact@madelinewilsonojo.com